When a treasure hunt leads to deadly plunder, it's up to glass shop owner Savannah Webb and her trusty investigative posse to map out the true motives of a killer . . .
It's the dog days of summer in St. Petersburg, Florida, and Webb's Glass Shop proprietor Savannah Webb has an eco-friendly plan to help locals escape the heat--a recyclable bottle-crafting workshop taught by reticent store manager Amanda Blake. Turns out, the class is a bigger smash than expected, thanks in part to a pair of staggeringly old bottles brought in by snorkeler Martin Lane . . .
Linked to a storied pirate shipwreck, the relics definitely pique Savannah's interest. But intrigue turns to shock when Martin's lifeless body washes ashore the next morning, another glass artifact tucked in his dive bag. With cell phone records connecting Amanda to the drowning, Savannah must voyage through unchartered territory to exonerate her colleague and capture the twisted criminal behind Martin's death . . . (Summary via Goodreads)
Great cozy mystery! Cracked to Death is book three in A Webb's Glass Shop mystery. I have not had the pleasure of reading books one or two but will be changing this very soon. I really enjoyed book three and look forward to the others.
Savannah Webb is the owner of Webb's Glass Shop in St. Petersburg, Florida where the sun is hot and the mystery even hotter. Amanda, the store manager is having her first class on up cycling bottles when a class member brings in a couple antique bottles from a recent dive. He tells Amanda that he found them in the area where the legendary pirate, Jose' Gaspar is rumored to have buried treasure. (I am a huge history geek and loved how the author intertwined this pirate legend into the story.) Amanda doesn't want to use the bottles in the class until she finds out more about them.
This is where things turn upside down for Amanda. Martin the client who brought the antique bottles to class ends up dead on the beach! Things begin to unravel even more when the police find out about all the texts between him and Amanda. Everyone thought she didn't know him??? She has now become the prime suspect. Now she has to have faith in her friends to investigate to clear her name. It doesn't help her case that she has been very erratic lately so they have an uphill battle trying to clear her. She has a lot on her mind with her mom's health. The team really needs to find the real killer before he or she strikes again.
On the plus side they get to look for buried treasure and find out more about the allusive pirate Gaspar. AaaaRrrrGggHhhhh!
Review by Penny M.
A witch. A murder. A wedding dress?
Dylan Apel is having one heck of a summer. She knows her hand-made clothing is special, but magical? Discovering that she's a witch is bad enough, but when Dylan realizes there are folks who’ll kill to possess her witchy powers— that’s enough to make a girl want to hide out in the back of her boutique. Only problem is, Queen Witch is in town, itchin’ to make sure Dylan learns to cast spells, and this witch won’t take no for an answer.
Dylan must learn fast—someone just killed her best client with a poisoned gown meant for Dylan. Was it the tall, mysterious hottie in black, who's suddenly everywhere she goes? After all, the first thing Roman Bane says is he doesn't like witches. Is he here to save her, or kill her?
Dylan is barely getting a handle on her new powers when she finds herself surrounded by witches bossing her this way and that, local police nosing about, and wary clients—death by clothing is not good for business. And the solstice is coming … a time when witch powers are at their peak. Can Dylan survive the chaos long enough to figure out her new life? (Summary via Goodreads)
I have found a new series that is a must read! 5 stars just aren't enough for this debut book.
What is not to love in a cozy full of magic, mystery, and WITCHES! Scared Witchless (Bless Your Witch) is the first book in this magical new series. Started this book and read it straight through. Once you start the author's writing has you wanting to know what is going to happen next and then you are hooked.
Dylan Apel and her sister Sera own shops in their little town and are doing what they love. Dylan owns a clothing store while Sera owns a scrumptious bakery. They are full of family, hard work, and Magic??? Dylan has been told many times that her shop is magical but little did she know that it is because she and her sister Sera are witches. Although her little sister Reid has no magic she definitely makes up for it in wit and love of family.
This family is about to get a huge wake up call when the dress that Dylan made for herself ends up killing a customer that tries it on! In steps Queen Witch Em telling the girls they have powers that people are willing to kill them for. WOW! No pressure or anything. Now Dylan must learn her powers quickly before she or her sisters become dead witches.
These sisters learn a lot about family and their abilities in this great new world created by Amy Boyles. Looking forward to many more adventures from the Apel sisters.
Review by Penny M.
In glittering Newport, Rhode Island, at the close of the nineteenth century, status is everything. But despite being a poorer relation to the venerable Vanderbilts, Emma Cross has shaped her own identity—as a reporter and a sleuth.Fancies and Fashion reporter Emma Cross is sent by the Newport Observer to cover an elite house party at Rough Point, the “cottage” owned by her distant cousin Frederick Vanderbilt, which has been rented as a retreat for artists. To her surprise, the illustrious guests include her estranged Bohemian parents—recently returned from Europe—as well as a variety of notable artists, including author Edith Wharton.
But when one of the artists—an English baronet—is discovered dead at the bottom of a cliff, Rough Point becomes anything but a house of mirth. After a second guest is found murdered, no one is above suspicion—including Emma’s parents.
Even as Newport police detective Jesse Whyte searches for a killer in their midst, Emma tries to draw her own conclusions—with the help of Mrs. Wharton. But with so many sketchy suspects, she’ll need to canvas the crime scenes carefully, before the cunning culprit takes her out of the picture next… (Summary via Goodreads)
I LOVE the Guilded Newport Mystery series by Alyssa Maxwell and Murder at Rough Point is NO exception !! Maxwell has such a way in taking you back to the end of the 19th century and making you feel like you are actually there !!
Emma Cross is asked to attend a gathering of artists at her cousin's Newport home that he has rented out. She is asked to stay on with the other guests and interview the artists for an article for the paper. Unknowingly to Emma, however, is that her parents are in attendance as well. Emma has not seen her parents in four years, ever since they left Newport for Paris so that her father could pursue his painting.
As Emma becomes re-acquainted with her parents it becomes clear that her parents are holding back and keeping secrets. As she trys to unravel that mystery one of the houseguest goes missing and is found at the bottom of the cliffs in the water. Did he jump ? Was he pushed ?
While Emma and Detective Jesse Whyte begin to investigate another member of the group is found dead in his bathtub. Was it an accident or is someone killing members of the group ? And why ??
The assortment of artists as well as the limited service staff on hand are an interesting bunch of characters. As you read and get to know them, you will find yourself liking them and wondering who, if any, could hvae done these horrific acts and why ??
The ending is a complete shocker that you will NOT see coming but it will all make sense in the end......
Reveiw by Missi S.
SUMMER PRESCOTT BOOKS is thrilled to present:
Bacon, Eggs, and Boogeymen - Book 3 in The Bandit Hills Series!!!
When a sweet elderly woman’s husband goes missing, Dash and Cassie step in to try to figure out whodunit. Dash goes camping with Cassie on a dare, and they discover more than they bargained for at an abandoned campsite. The adventures continue, served with a heaping helping of breakfast from Tank’s diner, in this latest installment of The Bandit Hills Series. (Summary via Goodreads)
Bacon, Eggs, and Boogeyman is book three in the Bandit Hills series. This is a series not to be missed. It is jammed packed full of adventure and mystery. Bandit Hills is a quirky little town where you never know what will happen next. Ghosts, paranormal, mystery, that's just Bandit Hills.
Cass and Dash are a great couple. They definitely have fun with each other. Especially when Cass gets Dash going about the paranormal. Even though he grew up in Bandit Hills he has a hard time with things that go bump in the night. He is what some may call a chicken and Cass knows just how to play on this emotion to get him to do what she wants like going to spend the night in a creepy sanitarium! Triple dog dare you works every time. Someone goes missing and Cass and a reluctant Dash get their snoop on trying to find out what happened.
Will they be able to solve this case before an innocent gets hurt??? Love Cass's saying, "The dead aren't scary. The living are." So true!
Review by Penny M.
When one of the seniors in Lani's senior bingo group ends up dead during a sunrise ceremony to welcome the summer solstice, Lani sets out to find a killer with the help of Luke and her senior friends. (Summary via Goodreads)
Kathi Daley has done it again with another amazing must read series.
Murder at Sunrise is book two in A Sand and Sea Hawaiian Mystery. Set in the most beautiful place on earth with gorgeous beaches, great surfing, friendly people and MURDER???
Lani has her senior bingo group at the beach for a sunrise ceremony to welcome the summer solstice. But sadly the ceremony ends with the death of one of the seniors. Is there a killer in the bingo group or something entirely different? Lani has her hands full between her job, family, Luke and now murder. Lani is determined to get to the bottom of why someone would want to kill one of the seniors.
With the help of handsome cowboy Luke and a quirky set of seniors they begin an investigation that is full of excitement and maybe romance?
This is a fast paced, full of intrigue mystery series that Cozy fans will not be able to put down.
Review by Penny M.
Journey back to 1920s England, and join young Lady Clara Callaway and her lady’s maid, Alice Hart, as they go detecting together!
When a Right to Vote rally turns into a mysterious murder, Lady Clara Callaway once again finds herself in the thick of things. Penelope Newton, spokeswomen for the Women’s Furtherance League, has been killed at the rally, her body found in a locked room. And once again, the suspects are outnumbering the clues.
As Clara, Alice and their chum Giles Fairweather seek out the murderer, they begin to unravel a tangle of ambitions and jealousies. A spurned lover, a political rival, and a would-be Woman’s League leader all have reason to commit such a terrible crime, but which one did the deed?
And so, with the help of the clever Alice and sturdy Giles, Clara begins to uncover the truth. But when she comes closer to the answer than she expected, Clara soon finds her own life in danger. Will she be the next victim? (Summary via Amazon)
This is the second book in the Clara Callaway Mystery collection. Be sure to watch for the next book, due out soon!
Book One - Dead by Dinner
Book Two - Dying to Vote
Along with Dead by Dinner, the first Clara Callaway Mystery by Lillian Dore, Dying to Vote is very captivating and fun to read. You cannot help but love Lady Clara and the ease in while she can somehow get people to talk to her.
In Dying to Vote Lady Clara, her lady's maid and friend Alice, and "friend" Giles attend a rally on the Right to Vote for women. Even though neither of the woman are eligible to vote, they are very much interested in hearing the debate.
But before the debate concludes chaos erupts and fighting in the audience leads Lady Clara and friends to hide in an office until the police arrive. Once the police arrive and it is safe to leave their hiding place, Lady Clara enters a doorway leading to a hallway where she hears a scream. Giles has to knock down a door to get into the room and they find Penelope Newton, the spokeswoman for the Woman's Furtherance League and one of the debaters lying on the floor dead !!
Who would want to kill Penelope ? Could it be as easy as the killer being the opponent in the debate ? Or someone from the audience that started the fighting as a distraction ?
Alice and Giles are well aware of how Lady Clara loves to investigate so they are not surprised when she says she wants to visit some of the people in attendance that dreadful evening. No one will refuse a visit from Lady Clara, granddaughter of the Earl, however, is that such a good thing when there is a killer out there ? Can she ask her questions safely ? Will she ask the wrong person the wrong question ??
Travel back to England in the 1920's for an afternoon or evening..... Ride along with Giles and Lady Clara as they visit and have tea with possible suspects and witness a time where things were changing for the better and life seemed much simpler......or was it ??
Review by Missi S.
SUMMER PRESCOTT BOOKS is thrilled to present:
Beef Brisket Murder - Book 11 in The Darling Deli Series!!!
Moira discovers something rather disturbing in her basement while she’s cleaning it out. Intrigued, she begins her own investigation and enlists David to help her find out what could possibly have happened in the house before she bought it. When the trail leads to the retirement home in Lake Marion, she realizes that it might not be too late for a decades-old crime to be solved. Meanwhile, Candice hires her first employee at the candy shop, and Moira’s employees at the deli plan a surprise birthday party for her in this fast-paced 11th installment of the Darling Deli Series. (Summary via Goodreads)
Beef Brisket Murder is book eleven in the Darling Deli Series and is another WINNER! This series goes from great to amazing in 11 seconds flat. I love this series and all the characters. They have progressed throughout the series and feel like family. I also can't resist the Darling Deli's culinary perfection.
Moira has a lot going on again at the deli. So much for slowing down. She is now delving head first into the catering side of the business. The truck is ready and her manager Darrin has suggested a web designer to have greater exposure for the deli. She is one busy lady but finds herself at home for a few days off with a to do list a mile long. She decides to start in the basement so with Keeva and Maverick she gets to work. Moira is ready to call it a day when Maverick won't go upstairs and keeps going to the crawl space. She decides to take a look and finds that her house may hold a lot of secrets that she doesn't know. She found the skeleton of a young girl and immediately goes into investigation mode. She has already called the police to start their investigation but Moira feels that this is personal and wants Justice for this young girl. So with the help of an unlikely source and David they begin an investigation decades in the making. Will the past stay buried or will the killer strike again???
This is another fast paced, exciting mystery that will have you sleeping with the lights on. I can't wait for book twelve.
Review by Penny M.
![Dying to Vote: A Clara Callaway Mystery by [Dore, Lillian]](https://images-na.ssl-images-amazon.com/images/I/51Ua0Y-k70L.jpg)
